The European Union has celebrated the announced agreement for the permanent disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the beginning of a civil transition in the Strip.
The position has been disseminated this Thursday by the high representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, on behalf of the European Union. Therefore, it is not a personal statement from the Estonian leader nor an exclusive statement from the European Commission.
The EU calls for the agreement to be implemented without delay
The European declaration considers the announcement a decisive step to ensure that Hamas is disarmed and ceases to pose a threat to Israel's security.
The EU has thanked the work carried out by the mediators and has asked all parties to approve and execute the pact without delay. It also demands to accelerate the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 and to respect international law.
The statement does not identify the parties that have reached the understanding nor does it detail its execution timeline. It also does not specify when the Israeli withdrawal would begin or how the process of delivery and dismantling of weapons would unfold.
Brussels offers its missions in Rafah and Palestine
The European Union has confirmed that it will continue to participate in the implementation of the plan through its two missions deployed in the Palestinian territories.
The EUBAM Rafah mission could contribute to the functioning and supervision of the border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. The EUPOL COPPS mission, for its part, will continue to support the institutional development and training of the Palestinian police forces.
The EU has also committed to work to ensure the rapid, safe, and unobstructed entry and distribution of humanitarian aid.
European support for the reconstruction of Gaza
The community bloc declares itself willing to collaborate in the reconstruction and development of Gaza within the limits established by international law and international humanitarian law.
The European position also includes maintaining political and economic support for the Palestinian Authority, including its reform agenda, so that it can safely regain effective control of the Strip.
Brussels considers that the Palestinian administration must coordinate with the transitional government structures that are established during the post-conflict period.
The EU maintains the two-State solution
The statement reaffirms the European commitment to a "just and lasting" peace based on the creation of two States.
The EU advocates that Israel and Palestine can coexist and is prepared to contribute to diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving that solution, in accordance with the resolutions of the Security Council and the New York Declaration.